Rabbit-Proof Fence

1. When the European settlers begin to colonize the western coast of Australia, they did not view Aboriginies as equals. There were many injustices that the Aborigines faced during the white colonization. One of the main injustices was that the Aborigines did not have rights in the eyes of the whites. In the Rabbit-Proof Fence, the Nyungar people were punished for using their traditional laws because the white settlers only used their own lays and neglected natives rights. This is a huge discrimination and a violation of their rights, especially equality. Another example of an injustice was when the settlers pushed out of their land without any consent of the natives. This is a violation of the right to own property and the freedom of discrimination because the natives were powerless against the settlers. Yet another example was when the people were removed from their homes and taken to other islands in chains and usually never returned. This is a violation of freedom of arbitrary arrest and exile. The whites never told them what they did wrong because the natives rights were not even valued by the settlers.
2. While the "civilizing" of Australians might seem unthinkable in other countries, the United States history shows otherwise. One of the darkest periods in American history was the cruel and gruesome treatment of the Native Americans. Like the Aborigines and other tribes, the Native Americans were not given any rights while being discriminated by the white settlers. The Native Americans also were pushed out of their own land without being able to stop white settlers, similar to Aborigines being removed from land to live on reservation type areas. Manifest Destiny was also a cruel period in history. Whites felt that their rules and rights were superior to any other peoples, so natives rights should be neglected. Whites wanted to integrate natives into their societies, similar to how whites tried to force Aborigines into their societies. While Manifest Destiny was about the spread of Christianity, either way the whites were trying to force their way of life on natives without realizing natives were better off without white rules.
3.While many feel the relocation of children of mixed descent was justifiable, I do not. Taking children away minutes, even seconds, before they realize it is a huge violation of their rights. Humans have a right to life and liberty and by taking them away from their families they are forcing a false life on them. Humans also have a freedom against discrimination so white settlers taking natives away because they are mixed race is an atrocity. Because the whites violated their rights, I do not believe the taking away of children was moral.

Invasive Species

The Cane Toad, native to South and Central America, is a large toad whose olive and red brown skin help it blend in easily against predators. The Cane Toad helped make its way into Australia in 1935 when it was ironically released in sugar plantations in Northern Queensland to fight off the invasive French Cane Beetle and Greyback Cane Beetle. The Cane Toad, now located in Queensland, New South Wales, Northen Territory, and even recently in Western Australia. The Cane Toad also survives because of its high toleration to difficult environments. It ranges from urban areas, to wooded areas, and to grass areas. The Cane Toad has a negative effect to Australia because it is very poisonous. Every stage of the toad is poisonous, even the tadpole stage. This is devastating for its predators, including the egret, snakes, fish, and even crocodiles. The government has had many ideas to try and fix the problems. These ideas include ijecting them with viruses, creating sterile males, setting up fences, and using a lung parasite to weaken the toad. So far none of these ideas have had a huge effect on the toad. Another invasive animal that is ruining ecosystems is the wild boar. The wild boar was released into the United States around the 1500's for food and game. Many boars escaped their fences and reproduced. The boar is a major problem because it competes with many other animals, such as bears, bobcats, and foxes, for food. This competition is a negative effect for the other animals becuase the wild boar is a massive fighter. In order to stop the boar, people have places fences to contain the boar but usually the fences are not strong enough and way too expensive. People have also tried hunting and trapping and in Oklahoma there are not any rules on hunting of the wild boar. Some of the predators include bobcats and hawks who feed on young boars, but these predators do not do enough damage towards the boars population. I believe invasive species are a huge problem because the effects they have on ecosystems can be drastic. Becuase native species are not used to the invasive species, the invasive ones are usually unharmed when first brought in but do many harm. While Australia is having a bigger stuggle economically with rabbits and other invasive species, America also has its fair share. Carp and other species are effecting the wildlife and devastating whole populations.

A massive wild boar                     map of current population of cane toad and predicted areas